THE HIGH Court has further remanded on bail three Irish men wanted in Lithuania on weapons and terrorism charges.
The Lithuanian authorities are seeking the extradition of Liam Campbell (46), Upper Faughart, Dundalk; Brendan McGuigan (29), New Houses, Knocknagoran, Omeath, Co Louth, and Séamus McGreevey (56), St Annes, Stamullen Road, Gormanston, Co Meath.
It is alleged that the three were involved, from Ireland, in a conspiracy to obtain weapons, ammunition and explosive substances in Lithuania between 2006 and 2007.
The warrants include charges of attempting to acquire weapons, ammunition, explosives, detonators and timers; being engaged in terrorism, and preparing to smuggle items including firearms and explosive substances.
A fourth man, Michael Campbell (36), from Upper Faughart, Dundalk, was detained by the Lithuanians in Vilnius on similar charges that he attempted to buy firearms, ammunition and explosive devices there.
At the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Michael Peart agreed, following a request from lawyers for Liam Campbell, Mr McGuigan and Mr McGreevey, to adjourn the cases to April 22nd to allow for the obtaining of material, including information on prisons in Lithuania and a report from the Lithuanian ombudsman.
The court was told it was hoped points of objection against the making of any order for the three men’s surrender would be ready by April 22nd.
Liam Campbell was found guilty in May 2004 by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of being a member on October 3rd, 2000, of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army.
The court also found him guilty on a second charge of membership of an illegal organisation on July 29th, 2001.
He was jailed for four years on both charges, to run consecutively, but the court suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on the second count. It is believed he was freed in early 2008.
In 2001, Mr McGreevey received a four-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to training people to use firearms in 1999 at Herbertstown, Stamullen, Co Meath. That sentence was later increased by two years by the Court of Criminal appeal after the DPP successfully argued it was unduly lenient.